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Membership for www.rocketlawyer.co.uk costs £25 per
month and includes unlimited legal documents, 30 minute free
consultations with specialist lawyers and up to 33 per cent off additional legal
fees, promises the site.

The site promises to allow couples to discuss finances in their own time and come to a fair and mutual agreement without third-party pressure

If there are children involved,
significantly uneven assets or any specific clauses that need to be discussed, the site offers an On Call lawyer to answer any questions.

'It’s an easy and more amicable way of documenting financial arrangements should the unexpected happen, which can lessen and even remove the emotional conflict surrounding prenups,' they say.

A FAMILY LAWYER'S TAKE

The following key circumstances must be
considered...

Has there been evidence of duress, fraud or
misrepresentation?

Has there been undue pressure or exploitation of a
dominant position?

Have the parties taken legal advice?

Have the parties
exchanged full disclosure of their assets and income before signing the
agreement?

Do both parties intend for the agreement to be binding?

Have
the parties’ ages and maturity been considered and finally?

Has the
agreement been entered into at least 21 days prior to marriage?

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics estimate that
42 per cent of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce but will this method really make life easier for couples?

'As the law currently stands in England and Wales, pre-nuptial agreements are not legally binding and cannot be used to limit or oust the jurisdiction of the Divorce Court.

'However, following the Supreme Court decision in the case of Radmacher-v-Granatino (2010), a principle has been established that the Court should give effect to a nuptial agreement that is freely entered into by each party with a full appreciation of its implications unless in the circumstances it would not be fair to hold the parties to their agreement.

'The circumstances surrounding the making of an agreement will affect the weight to be given to it upon a divorce and it is questionable whether these will be properly considered in the creating of pre-nuptial agreements online at a cost of just £25.

'A change in circumstances or the time that has elapsed since the making of an agreement may render it unfair or reduce the weight to be attached to it.

'While it can be tempting to use the DIY prenup services, a quick, cheap fix should be avoided and investing in proper advice is likely to save you not only money but a considerable amount of time in the long run.'

Elizabeth Hassall, head of family law at Gateley, said: 'While a DIY prenup service may be an affordable option, it doesn’t come with, or even require, independent legal advice. This could leave an agreement null and void and essentially worthless, if a marriage was to end in divorce.

Samantha Hickman, of Clarke Willmott, said:
'The case law surrounding the effectiveness and weight to be give to
such agreements will continue to evolve in the higher courts and clients
would be well advised to seek the advice of a professional lawyer
before committing themselves'

'The ability to resolve a legal matter, without third-party pressure, in just 20 minutes may sound desirable. However, the presence of a lawyer in situations such as these is invaluable to ensure that matters are dealt with correctly and thoroughly.'

Ayesha Vardag, the lawyer responsible for the landmark Supreme Court case of Radmacher, which changed the law on prenuptial agreements and made them work in England, added: 'Pre-nups are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, especially to safeguard the wealth that people have built up before their marriages and to protect their expected inheritances.

'This is very popular in second marriages where there are children of previous marriages to protect.

'In my view, anything that makes pre-nups less costly and more available is great, and a new, affordable system like this one is long overdue. However, a note of caution with all DIY pre-nup kits - they don’t work well for complex or sensitive situations.